Retro Damon Bradshaw Edition 1990 Yamaha YZ125 Garage Build

1990 Yamaha YZ125
Bradshaw’s Weapon
Build: Steve Matthes
Text: Steve Matthes
Photos/Video: Spencer Owens
When you’re in a job like mine, sometimes staring at a keyboard or talking to people with a microphone in front of you gets to be a bit much. So, I like to tinker out in the garage to mix things up and build project bikes. And usually, spend way too much money on said bikes. The latest one I did is a 1990 Yamaha YZ125 that my “friend” Jamie Guida (AKA Darkside), gave up on building. I got it from him in boxes and bags of rusted bolts. It was definitely the toughest one I’ve done. Yamaha OEM parts aren’t as easy to find as some other brands. We got it done though, and to me, there’s always something about the white and red YZs from the ’80s that I like. Sharp looking machines for sure!
Parts List:
Dubya USA
DID Rims, Wheel Rebuild, Stock Hubs
$750
dubyausa.com
Race Tech
Rebuild Fork and Shock
$1500
racetech.com
Suspension Direct
Kashima Coating Fork and Shock
$1000
suspensiondirect.com
GUTS Racing
Seat Foam
$65
gutsracing.com
Doc Wobs
Aluminum Fuel Tank
$400
docwob.com
Wiseco
Piston Kit, Bearing Kit
$180
wiseco.com
KE3
Vapor Blasting
$400
@ ke3restoration
Motosport.com
OEM Parts, UFO Plastic
$5850
motosport.com
Renthal
Bars, Sprockets, Chain
$250
renthal.com
DeCal Works
Stickers, Numbers
$100
decalmx.com
Sudco
Mikuni PWK Carb
$300
sudco.com
V Force
Reed Block
$150
mototassinari.com
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[@dtread9543]

I owned a 1990 YZ125 for years. Thing absolutely ripped, kept up with the newer bikes my buddys had in the early 2000's.

[@LEEROY_UK]

Bradshaw was a lunatic, loved every minute of him racing SX back in the day. He had the best crashes 😂

[@danielfine2768]

Would love to see Carson Brown ripping this bike around.

[@sharplespaul]

Yes!!!!! How did I miss this!!! Just ordered a 89 cylinder off. eBay.. I guess I gotta finish mine. Maybe race a vintage day. Great stuff thank you

[@theshootindutchman]

1990 Kawasaki KX250......I bought that bike in 1992 and after years and f bikes and racing, that bike was by FAR the coolest sweetest most clickable bike I've ever owned. Compared to the competition, that bike looked and ride like it was dropped off from outer space😄

[@mxracer158]

Bro, it's always great to see a retro 2 smoker brought back to life. Thanks for posting.

[@LeeTillbury]

Beautiful bike Bradshaw was me hero back in the day❤

[@markgaudreau8053]

i saw him win in montreal in 1989. he was pretty good.

[@fredm4197]

Same! "The Beast of the East" was my hero growing up!

[@6VIERTE9]

This bike sounds amazing

[@5150farmsactual]

That bike and a set of Answer Alumilites took care of my right knee as a kid 😂

[@a.j.dasilva578]

I owned the little brother of this Yz125, The Yz80 and that little thing ripped, it did have a few mods though. In its hay day the Yz80 ripped.

[@keiannschyler]

this model of YZ is the most beautiful bike for me.

[@chriscollins2647]

I had a brand new 1990 / 250 .I got it when I turned 18 .It was like five years old and owned by a dealer and had it left over and put away .I loved that bike

[@gazza70cr]

The Bradshaw/Mattress build is interesting but the aluminum tank looks a bit janky in white with the welded edges standing too much. A lot of work for the result he got though.

[@patrikkagstrom2393]

Damon hade the older 86-87 side numberplate on the right side tho 🙌

[@DC-ng2db]

I'd like to see Carson Brown rip that thing!

[@malisinimicus4358]

back in the day over the years i raced an 79, 81,82 and 84 YZ125's. None had much oower outta the box but the 82 with shaved head, opened up air box, boost bottle, porting and jetting resulted in a very fast 125.'s The 84 was a POS.

[@Jasonracer]

Nice ❤

[@rochellestanley9532]

Just wow, nothing else to say 🍺

[@scottpeters8640]

Steve, I would like to see some of that skill you used on Timmy's Factory YZ-F into play by doing a build on the OG of four-stroke MX....the 1998 (or '99) YZ 400F. I bought one new and really liked it. Would love to see how it would compare to maybe an Austrian 350 or other modern bikes.

[@rg807]

One guy that's too big to ride a 125, and another who hates 125s.

[@mxkid677]

Would you need the modern yz 125 clutch cable too or the 1990 one

[@CR250rSMITH]

i like to see lap times this 90 125 vs his own personal bike

[@barkeep25]

Looks amazing! Is this worth a hop up? I'm sure it would help but does it stray too far from what you wamted?

[@bradley624]

Daaaaaark

[@christerstefansson3249]

The YZ 125 went even slower for 91,92,93.

[@dcc914]

45 👍🏻

[@carrillospeed]

That bike was supposed to be “torquey” lol

[@chetmanley7209]

Lol "you moto nerds"

[@Uncle-LeRoy]

Looks like the slowest thing I have ever seen.

[@johnnyg2501]

Stock had zero power lol

[@LeeTillbury]

Not lol

[@rotorbob88]

It had very good power, but in a super narrow range in the middle. If you could keep it there, you were golden. Chassis was a bit long and it turned a bit slow.